Admiral Bernard Rogel, Chief of Naval Staff, French Navy, was on an official visit to India from November 13 to 18 to discuss existing Navy to Navy cooperation, cement existing bridges of friendship as well as to explore new avenues of cooperation between the Indian and French Navies.

The Admiral was received at South Block lawns by Admiral R.K. Dhowan, Chief of the Naval Staff, Indian Navy, and was accorded a ceremonial guard of honour. During the day, the visiting dignitary met senior naval officers as well as various senior Ministry of Defence (MoD) and other government officials at Delhi. The Admiral also visited Goa where he addressed participants of the Naval War College, Goa. The dignitary then proceeded to Mumbai naval facilities as well as Mazagon Dock Ltd.

Indian Navy–French Navy cooperation covers a wide spectrum of maritime activities and includes Navy-to-Navy Staff Talks, bilateral exercise Varuna as well as regular delegation level interactions. Warships of both navies make regular port calls to each other’s ports. The training interaction includes courses in high technology as well as at staff levels.